Influence of graphite contamination on the optical properties of transparent spinel obtained by spark plasma sintering

The optical properties of transparent spinel sintered by spark plasma sintering have been investigated for incident electromagnetic radiations with wavelengths in the range 0.2-2 mu m. It is shown that residual porosities and second-phase graphite particles have a strong influence on the in-line transmittance. Because of the graphite particles, the in-line transmittance measured does not approach that of monocrystalline spinel for wavelengths above 1 mu m. (C) 2008 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.